-Disposes ‘unwarranted’ references to Pakistan
-Says India continue to sponsor terrorism in Pakistan
-Seeks end to Yemeni conflict
-Expresses full solidarity, support with Saudi Arabia against aggression
By Our Diplomatic
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected “unwarranted” references to Pakistan in a joint statement of the US-India Counter-Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue.
Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry said Islamabad’s serious concerns and the rejection of the “unacceptable” reference to Pakistan in the aforementioned statement have been conveyed to the US side.
He said it is important that partner countries take an objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and divorced from ground realities.
“The international community is well-aware that Pakistan is a country most affected by cross-border terrorism, sponsored and supported by India,” the spokesperson said, adding the international community also recognizes Pakistan’s efforts, sacrifices and successes in the fight against terrorism.
He said Pakistan has repeatedly underlined that peace and stability in South Asia is threatened by the irresponsible policies and actions of the RSS-BJP regime in India, including towards its minorities, its state-terrorism in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and its belligerence against Pakistan and other countries in the region.
The spokesperson said that the international community must urge India to reverse the course and desist from playing a role detrimental to regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent missile and drone strikes by Houthis on Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri termed the strikes violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Pakistan expresses full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supports the kingdom’s right to defend itself against aggression.”
He said that Pakistan has consistently urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen to engage in a meaningful and peaceful dialogue to end the hostilities, in line with the UN Security Council resolution.
“In this regard, we appreciate the positive step taken by the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, when it unilaterally declared ceasefire earlier this year. It is, however, regrettable that this step was not reciprocated positively.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan expresses deep concern at the recent escalation of conflict in Yemen, as the city of Marib is threatened by the Houthi militias.
“We believe that if military conflict engulfs Marib, it will result in a serious humanitarian catastrophe,” he said and added that this will further compound the existing precarious humanitarian situation in the country that has already seen countless deaths and injuries, and millions displaced.
Pakistan urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen, in particular the Houthis, to cease military actions, engage in a serious dialogue to end the conflict on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and respond positively to the proposals made by Martin Griffith, the United Nation’s special envoy to Yemen.
He said that Pakistan believes that war serves no purpose, and all issues can be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
Adopting this path early will save thousands of innocent lives, as well as the future of the Yemeni people.
